Management and outcome of pneumatosis intestinalis

Background Pneumatosis intestinalis (PI), infiltration of gas into the bowel wall, has traditionally been associated with immediate operative intervention and a high mortality rate. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the diagnosis and management of pneumatosis in an attempt to characterize the disease, and examined management strategies. Results Ninety-seven patients had a computed tomography (CT) diagnosis of pneumatosis. The location of pneumatosis was as follows: 46% colon, 27% small bowel, 5% stomach, and 7% both small and large bowel. Fourteen patients also had portal venous gas and 6 (43%) of these patients died. Management strategy was non-operative in 52%, operative in 33%, and futile care in 15%. The overall mortality rate was 22% (16% operative, 6% non-operative, and 87% futile). Patients who died had a higher mean APACHE II score (25 vs 11, P <.001). Conclusions Approximately 50% of patients with pneumatosis can be successfully managed non-operatively. The combination of PI and portal venous gas may confer a higher mortality rate.